How To Stop Leg Cramps

Sudden, painful and involuntary contractions of the leg muscles is what you feel when you have leg cramps. Often, only the calf muscles contract but feet muscles and thigh muscles can sometimes be affected. Leg cramps that happen when you are sleeping or resting in bed are called, oddly enough, “night leg cramps”.

The cause of leg cramps is not clear. Most leg cramp sufferers are otherwise healthy and have no underlying medical conditions. A very small percentage of leg cramp sufferers will have underlying illnesses such as diabetes or peripheral artery disease.

The more you advance with age, the more prone you become to night leg cramps. Also, pregnant women have a higher likelihood of experiencing leg cramps.

Let me reiterate that most leg cramps have no known cause. However, the following conditions are associated with leg cramps:

• Addison's disease

• Alcoholism

• Choosing blood pressure medications

• Cirrhosis

• Dehydration

• Type 2 diabetes

• Diarrhea

• Diuretics

• Electrolyte imbalance

• Flatfeet

• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)

• Kidney failure, chronic

• Muscle fatigue

• Oral contraceptives

• Parkinson's disease

• Pregnancy symptoms: What to expect during the second trimester

• Peripheral artery disease (PAD)

• Gastric bypass surgery

Again, experiencing painful night leg cramps doesn't mean that you also have the conditions outlined above.

What You Can Do To Stop Leg Cramps

Here's one of the easiest yet effective way to stop leg cramps immediately. Find the spot where the bottom of the center of your nose and your upper lip meet. Use your thumb and forefinger to pinch it. You should soon feel relief from the leg cramp. I know it sounds pretty simple but it works!

Here's a video that talks about leg cramps when running.

• Drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration

• Wearing shoes that have proper support

• Stretching your leg muscles, or riding a stationary bicycle, for a few minutes before you go to bed

• Untucking the bed covers at the foot of your bed

Activities that might help relieve night leg cramps include:

• Flexing your foot up toward your head

• Massaging the cramped muscle with your hands or with ice

• Walking or jiggling the leg

• Taking a hot shower or warm bat